Brass 30
Minute Hourglass.
Product Description
Ship's time was divided into half hours. The helmsman would keep a thirty minute hourglass at
hand, to keep track of the eight half hours of each watch. One half-hour on board ship's was
actually called a "Glass". On board the helmsman would sound the Ship's bell a consecutive
number of times for each half hour passed of the current watch.
Our museum reproduction of an early 19th century hourglass is cleverly gimbaled. Hanging from
its own wallhook, it can be flipped over to restart it. Desk-bound, it makes a handsome
accessory. This hourglass once governed time on board a French Admiralty vessel. (H: 7")
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